A drama-filled first-round of the NWSL Playoffs

The GIST: The NWSL served up peak playoff anarchy this weekend, with a whole lot of extra time, a record-breaking expansion announcement, and enough adrenaline to last until next weekend’s semifinals. See how your playoff bracket’s holding up, then relive the thrilling quarter-final action with us.

🦇 No. 8 Gotham FC stun No. 1 Kansas City Current: Gotham’s Decision Day freefall helped them orchestrate the weekend’s biggest upset as the Bats punched their third straight semifinal ticket with yesterday’s 2–1 win over the Current. KC entered the match as the most dominant top seed in NWSL history but were notably without their top scorer, Temwa Chawinga.

• And this one came down to the wire: 96th-minute heroics from Current defender Ellie Wheeler forced extra time, setting the stage for Gotham forward Katie Stengel to bury the bar-down game-winner. The drama.

✨ No. 2 Washington Spirit escape late onslaught from No. 7 Racing Louisville: The injury-riddled Spirit dominated Saturday’s tilt…until a second-half stoppage time goal from Louisville forward Kayla Fischer forced extra time and eventually penalty kicks. Luckily for Washington, the best shootout goalie in NWSL history tends their net — and Aubrey Kingsbury did Aubrey Kingsbury things to earn the win.

🌹 No. 3 Portland Thorns blank No. 6 San Diego Wave in 1–0 win: Finding the back of the net was a tall task for both teams all afternoon — it took until extra time for the game’s first and only goal to be scored, a beauty off the head of Thorns forward Reilyn Turner, with 20-year-old phenom Olivia Moultrie tallying the assist.

💜 No. 4 Orlando Pride top No. 5 Seattle Reign FC 2–0: The only quarter-final completed in regulation, the defending champ Pride authored an emotional win to clinch their second straight semifinal berth. The highlight? Pride forward Luana’s insurance goal, her first since recovering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year. A true inspiration.